Ask Judy: How Do I Relactate?

Dear Judy: I want to start breastfeeding again, well pumping my breast milk for my 2 kids Jacob 3 years old, Danielle 2 years old. Do you think this is a crazy idea? My doctor is not supporting me, she says that I was done a year ago, and I should leave it that way… I just want the best for my kids, they are very picky eaters and I think going back to feed them with breast milk will really help them. Do you have any suggestions? Lucy A.

Hi Lucy,

I’m sorry to hear that your doctor is not supporting you. I think that you are the mother and you know what is best for your kids – so if you think that pumping your breastmilk will be what is best for them right now, then that is what you should do. The good news is, re-lactating is much easier after you have already breastfed, so while it will be difficult to get your milk supply back, it will be easier than if you hadn’t already breastfed a baby.

The first thing you will want to do is to start pumping. You should pump every 2-3 hours around the clock for the next month or so. You’ll also want to change your diet so that you can incorporate foods that lead to good milk production. Here are some suggestions for you.

1) Drink Mother’s Milk Tea: This will help to increase your milk supply.
2) Eat Oatmeal: Not the instant kind, the kind you have to cook – it is called “Steel Cut Oats” and it is great at increasing milk supply.
3) Take Fenugreek: read more here to find out how much to take.
4) Read this article for great pumping tips.
5) Drink 1/2 beer per day – the hops in the beer actually serves to increase milk supply – so you don’t need a lot – but a little will go a long way.
6) There is a drug that is fantastic at increasing milk supply and most moms who relactate use it. It is called Domperidone. It is not FDA approved and can not be purchased in US, but if you are in Canada you are in luck. There are potential side effects so you should read up on them. Here is an article to point you in the right direction. You do need a prescription to take it. You can get one from your own OB/GYN or you can email Dr. Jack Newman, he will write you a prescription which you can use.

Have you re-lactated? What tips worked best for you? Please share your tips and tricks by leaving a comment on this post!